Vision Showcase| May, 2012 Rondebosch Boys Preparatory School,
South Africa Warren Sparrow
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Vision for innovation Rondebosch Boys Preparatory School will
create a safe and structured environment where learners and staff
come together as a community of lifelong learners. Our school
fosters individual differences, we encourage each other and set
challenging goals. We strive to think critically and creatively to
encourage good decision making strategies to promote a sense of
teamwork and collaboration. We will explore the use of ICT in a
purposeful, yet effective and appropriate way in our teaching and
learning. By learning to utilise the knowledge and tools necessary
to confidently meet 21st century challenges, our learners will be
empowered to reach their potential as well as becoming respectful
and responsible citizens in a global community.
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Vision for innovation We believe the biggest change is a paradigm
shift for teachers. We have embraced education technology into our
classes to make the transition easier. Through the use of
computers, Smart Boards, Internet and other technologies, we strive
to integrate these technologies into our curriculum enhancing our
everyday teaching and creating meaningful learner involvement.
Creating a more learner- centered environment through the use of
project- based learning. Becoming a Thinking School, where we as
educators create a positive learning environment where lifelong
learning takes place. What are the most important changes you
envision for students?
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Vision for innovation How does this vision connect with the other
stakeholders in the community teachers, partner, district leaders?
We currently have various projects we have started within our local
community. We currently work with 5 local schools in our community
to assist them with improving numeracy in their schools. The Heads
and their staff have observed lessons with our teachers, we have
created a website with all our mathematics curriculum worksheets on
it and our learners have created mathematics videos that can be
used by the schools to show the learners how to use different
mathematical methods to solve various problems. This can be viewed
at www.wsparrow.co.za/mathswww.wsparrow.co.za/maths
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Vision for innovation How does this vision connect with the other
stakeholders in the community teachers, partner, district leaders?
Warren Sparrow, Head of ICT, is involved in an Information
Technology forum with 8 of the local schools where technology ideas
are shared, discussed and collaborated on. Warren Sparrow won the
Microsoft PAN African Innovative Teacher during 2011 and he
currently spends a great deal of time with our staff doing
training, team teaching, as well as assisting implementing an
integrated project based approach into the classrooms
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Vision for innovation How does this vision connect with the other
stakeholders in the community teachers, partner, district leaders?
Through our Vuleka project we assist formerly disadvantaged
learners in attending our school. VULEKA means to open in Xhosa.
The successful implementation of this programme has meant that
doors of learning have been opened for a number of boys. We
participate in the Rural Child Programme every year where we
collect clothes, games, books and Christmas gifts for poor rural
children.
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Current Status What elements of your vision are in place now? We
have seen the integration of ICT into classrooms as a multi-pronged
development. The first development was the upgrade of our existing
infrastructure. We upgraded all of our networks with cat 5 8 core
fibre optic. We upgraded our Windows servers, installed a backup
server, increased internet bandwidth, installed computers and
interactive white- boards in classes, as well as upgraded and
purchased a range of educational software. The second development
was improved support structure. This comprises of hardware,
software and curriculum support. We hired a full time technician to
assist with all hardware problems, as well to assist with software
queries. There is also time set aside where the staff can request
curriculum support from the head of ICT. The third development is
training of IT skills, interactive whiteboard and curriculum
integration training. We run staff technology training every week
for 2 hours to assist teachers in basic computers skills, as well
as interactive whiteboard training. Staff integration training is
ongoing and many of our staff completed the Intel Teach programme.
Many teachers are now also introducing 21st century skills into the
projects they set for learners. The fourth development is building
up our online resource centre for educators to access. This is
saved on our local intranet to be used in the classrooms.
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Current Status What needs to be completed in this vision phase? 1 I
believe this is a work in progress. We always look at existing
technology and incorporate what we can into our school. 2 A few
things that we would like to see improvements in are: 3 A more
systematic digital content across all grades in the school. More
diverse training in software. Staff and learners using more web
based and e-learning content.
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Current Status What are the top three things you most want to
change in the next two years? 1 I would like to expose more of our
teachers to the various Microsoft Forums and for them to experience
more best practices from around the world. 2 Create a digital
syllabus for the school across the grades with more integration
between staff. 3 Create a formal collaboration focus with more of
the schools in our area.
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Ideas for Attaining the Vision How does your schools vision
currently support each of the following areas? Teaching, learning
and assessment Success means different things to different people.
Each learner is an individual and we believe that every learner
needs to create their own success. It is important to remember that
success is a journey through both highs and lows. We measure
students progress in a variety of different ways. For example: What
do students know? What do students do? Are students developing
values that responsible, caring citizens should have? What can
students produce? How do students think?
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Ideas for Attaining the Vision How does your schools vision
currently support each of the following areas? Leadership and
culture of innovation The type of leadership would be described as
consultative, but many decisions are made by the headmaster. In
other words the school is not run democratically. The headmaster
listens to all points of view then makes his decision after due
consultation. The school is managed on different tiers whereby
there are many loci of control. At the lowest level every learning
area (subject) has a teacher in charge of it. These area heads are
all controlled by an academic head. This is also done differently
in each teaching phase of the school. Another level of management
is a Grade Leader in each grade. The Grade Leader drives the
organisation for each grade; which includes curriculum delivery as
well as planning grade activities and outings.
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Ideas for Attaining the Vision How does your schools vision
currently support each of the following areas? Leadership and
culture of innovation Once a fortnight all of the grade leaders
meet together with the Senior Management Team of the school to
discuss and implement all decisions made by the them. They meet
weekly to plan future activities as well as review the previous
weeks activities. The executive is made up of the headmaster, the
deputy headmaster who is in charge daily management and discipline,
the academic heads of the Foundation Phase and the Intermediate and
Senior Phase, the Head of Sport and Culture and the Head of
Facilities (grounds and buildings)..
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Ideas for Attaining the Vision How does your schools vision
currently support each of the following areas? Capacity building
From a learner perspective we believe we are building a capacity to
be empathetic, supportive of their community as well as a global
awareness From an educator perspective we are building them up with
regards to changing the paradigm shift with training, technology
and support. From a school perspective we assist other schools in
our community to strive towards our standards of excellence,
supporting and communicating throughout the process.
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Ideas for Attaining the Vision How does your schools vision
currently support each of the following areas? Learning environment
development We are in the process of introducing visual tools and
strategies to enhance the learning environment. We feel that this
is an ongoing development and we constantly strive to stay
connected with what is new and current.
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Ideas for Attaining the Vision How does your schools vision
currently support each of the following areas? Student voice
Through Project based learning the learners are given the
opportunity to voice their ideas or issues that are important to
them. This enables us to direct our training in a particular
direction. Online Learning We have moved to Google Docs, we create
online videos that we shared on YouTube, as well as with other
Education districts. We are undertaking more project based learning
that we showcase online.
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools R
elationships: Our school fosters individual differences, we
encourage each other and set challenging goals. We strive to think
critically and creatively to encourage good decision making
strategies to promote a sense of teamwork and collaboration. E
nvironment: We strive to create a safe and structured environment
where learners and staff come together as a community of lifelong
learners. We endeavour to create a space where the pupils can take
ownership of their own space. O pportunities: We have created many
opportunities for both learners and staff. We have changed more to
a project based approach teaching to the 21 st learner, where the
learners can create their own content using digital tools, working
at their own pace, enhancing what they do as part of the
curriculum. R esources : We have upgraded our servers, fibre
between building and rolled out technology into classrooms. We have
weekly meeting to share and collaborate on what we are doing in our
classes and how we are implementing technology into our classrooms.
D istribution of Leadership: We have numerous circumstances for our
learners to become involved in leadership opportunities. Peer
mediators, prefects, Captains of sports teams, class monitors,
House captains, rotational class based leadership. E valuation :
Pupils complete self evaluations, staff lead feedback sessions
based on these evaluations. These evaluations are used for
strategic planning purposes for the following year. Twice a year
each staff member engages in a peer evaluation process that
involves both individual reflection and group assessment. R
ecognition Success means different things to different people. As
each learner is an individual we believe that every learner needs
to create their own success. It is important to remember that
success is a journey through both highs and lows. Our school
strives Our learners are creating their own digital content that
they then place on the web
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Core Aims Creating an environment for 21 st Century learning to
take place. Have positive, critical thinking learners Focus on the
importance of creating many opportunities so that the boys can find
their area of excellence and thrive on it. Building relationships
to foster greater co- operation and collaboration between staff,
learners and other schools.
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Anticipated Challenges What challenges do you anticipate
encountering along the journey toward achieving your vision?
Financial: As a government school, there is not always a sufficient
amount of money that can be used. Each process of the rollout has
been carefully planned and budgets created to complete each
development. Fortunately, our Old Boys Union, Khanya and the WCED
have assisted in different ways. Time: o We are a very busy school
and it is not always possible to meet all the teachers for
training, workshops, etc All staff already have so much on their
plate, and although the staff are enthusiastic, there is not always
time for them to practise and learn the skills necessary to change
their teaching approach Resistance: o Resistance of staff to
changing the way things are taught. o Resistance of staff adopting
new technologies o Moving from a teacher to a learner centred
approach o Embracing the 21st Century Learner
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Anticipated Challenges What challenges do you anticipate
encountering along the journey toward achieving your vision? How
have you overcome (plan to overcome) some of those? We run staff
development programmes 3 times a week for 30 minutes We send out
weekly e-mails showing new content, websites, software, etc that
can be used in classes We sit with staff and assist in lesson
material and integration How can the Partners in Learning for
School Program community help you? The PIL is becoming an
invaluable resource, both for seeing best practices, resources, but
as well as motivating and enlightening through the virtual
universities.
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Rondebosch Boys Preparatory Partners in learning for schools
Technologies used Please list technologies used today and/or plan
to use Microsoft Servers IntelYouTube Picasa Web Albums
OneNoteSkype Microsoft Office Bing Google Google Apps Google Books
Internet Wall Wisher Prezi Laptops Data Projectors Fibre optic
cables Creating online content Web 2 Tools Tablets Smart Board